𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℙ𝕚𝕒𝕟𝕚𝕤𝕥 | 𝘛𝘢𝘦𝘑𝘰𝘰𝘯

17

I sat down beside Namjoon, toward the outer edge of the booth. I watched as a male in a cream apron came over, mask covering his nose and lips. His shoulders were broad, and his stature was rather tall and lean. He borderline looked familiar.

Yoongi pulled down his mask, greeting the man. The two spoke momentarily about Yoongi getting the usual, and the more I listened, the more I recognized that voice. I glanced up at Jimin who gave me a look of shock. Was he hearing it too?

I looked back at the man in search of a nametag, and found a small embroidery on the hem of his apron. It read "Seokjin". I gasped and looked back up at him. Was it really Jin? Wasn't he supposed to be living in Jimin's old apartment?

He went around the table asking for orders after telling us what was available. Namjoon ordered an iced coffee, and Jimin a smoothie. Once he got to me, I realized I hadn't listened to what he offered we could have. I looked up, meeting his gaze. I knew in that moment I was looking at Kim Seokjin.

I grinned and reached up, pulling the mask down without consent. Jin's plump lips grinned widely as he swept me into a tight hug, quick to let go so he could do the same for Jimin.

"Jin hyung! I thought you were living in Jimin's apartment now?" I looked at my old friend in awe. I hadn't seen him in what felt like years. What used to be pink hair was now a deep brown. However, his smile never changed.

"That was a lie. I've lived here in Seoul for maybe six months now. Hoseok and I decided to split and so he moved back to live in Jimin's apartment. So no, the house didn't belong to Hobi, it belonged to me~" Jin giggled, his pen and pad still in hand. "We'll have to catch up later! Anyways what do you want Taehyungie?"

Again, I was reminded that I had no idea the options here. I chuckled and in a last ditch effort, ordered the same as Jimin had. With that, Jin left quickly, pulling his mask back up as he stifled a cough.

"You know Seokjin hyung?" Yoongi's voice was quiet, and Jimin and I both nodded our heads.

"We both lived with him when we were younger. He treated us like his little brothers!" Jimin giggled and Yoongi smiled small. I could see a connection growing between the two, but I wasn't quite sure how to feel about it.

~~

"Two coffees and two smoothies! Here at table five. For you!" Another voice called, coming quickly around the corner with a platter on his hand. He came to the table, quickly setting down the drinks and smiling.

I hadn't bothered to look up. Instead, I peered down at the strawberry smoothie before me, thankful that Jimin and I had similar preferences. I went to take a sip of it and felt a hand on my shoulder.

Looking up and coming out from my trance, I saw Jungkook. Did everybody follow us here to Seoul? I know Jungkook's lived here, but everything felt surreal. I grinned and yanked the boy into a hug. "Kookie! I didn't know you worked here with Jin! Why didn't you tell us any of this?"

"That's what you get for being so quiet!" Jungkook pulled away from the hug, his infamous bunny grin about his cheeks. "Jin hyung gave me a job here so I could afford my rent. I haven't been here that long but hey it's nice to-"

Jungkook's eyes grew wide as he scanned the table. He'd recognized Yoongi and was quick to give a half bow. "O-Oh my god!" He whispered loudly, "I didn't even notice you there! I'm sorry about that! I-I love your work!" Yoongi smiled and blushed at the compliment. He leaned against Jimin and pulled his mask back over his face.

"No I'm sorry! Please keep it down!! I won't let anybody else know you're here. I'll deter people from sitting here. You all have fun!! I gotta go!" With that, the flustered boy quickly made a beeline to the kitchen, disappearing behind the counter.

"That's good you have connections here in Seoul, Taehyung." I looked up from my drink as Yoongi addressed me, a small smile still on his lips. In my peripheral I could see Jimin squirming in his seat, though I didn't bother to acknowledge it.

"Oh, thank you!" I smiled, resting my cheek against Namjoon's shoulder. His large hands weaved around my waist, pulling me against his side. Instinctively, I grabbed my drink to bring it over near me. "Originally I thought it was solely going to be Namjoon and I. It's such a relief to know we have a safety net here. It's comforting." Bringing the straw to my lips, I downed some of the smoothie, licking my lips afterward and sighing at the sweet taste.

"Fucks sake." Yoongi muttered, quick to yank his mask back over his face and adjust the brim to his hat so his face was shadowed. I perked my head to examine around the cafe. A single journalist sat across the way, sipping on coffee as she furiously wrote.

I saw no danger in her and turned to Yoongi, confused. "Do we need to leave?"

~~